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The Asian Institute of Diplomacy and International Affairs (AIDIA) and the Institute for Development and Diplomacy (IDD) of ADA University of Azerbaijan have officially entered into a strategic partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on November 21, 2023.

This collaborative agreement marks a significant milestone in fostering cooperation and mutual development between the two institutions.

The MoU outlines a comprehensive framework for collaboration, covering a wide range of areas aimed at enhancing educational and diplomatic initiatives, reads a statement issued by the AIDIA.

ADA University was established under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan in 2006, with the goal of nurturing individuals who serve as adept problem solvers, fostering close collaboration, and ensuring effective communication within the global community. The IDD was established in 2022 to enhance and broaden the university's objectives, emphasizing intellectual development and strategic engagement on a global scale.

AIDIA is Kathmandu based independent, non-partisan, foreign policy think-tank that conducts research and analysis on domestic and international issues, and offers a platform for dialogue, debate and discussion.

The MoU was signed by Sunil KC, Founder of AIDIA, and Dr Fariz Ismailzade, Director at IDD, symbolizing a commitment to fostering international collaboration and promoting academic excellence.

This partnership reflects the shared vision of both institutions to contribute significantly to the fields of development and diplomacy.

The government has managed to spend around 20 percent of the budget allocated for 2023/24 in the first four months of the fiscal year.

According to the Financial Comptroller General’s Office (FCGO), the government has spent Rs 355.63bn out of Rs 1,751.31bn allocated in the current fiscal year.

The government has so far expended 23.75 percent of its recurrent budget, 9.93 percent of the capital budget, and 17.72 percent of its budget allocated for financial management.

Out of the total budget, Rs 1,141.78bn has been set aside for recurrent expenditure, Rs 302.07bn for capital expenditure, and Rs 307.45bn for financial management in the current fiscal year.

According to the FCGO, the government has spent Rs 271.17bn of its recurrent budget. Likewise, Rs 29.98bn of the capital budget has been spent so far, while it has spent Rs 54.46bn of the budget allocated for financial management.

The government uses funds allocated for financial management to service its domestic and foreign debt.

In the current fiscal year, the government has allocated more budget for financial management compared to the capital budget.

Looking at the government spending over the first four months, spending toward financial management is more than double of what the government has managed to spend toward capital spending. This means the government's spending toward servicing foreign and domestic debt is higher than what it is spending on development works.

The government's capital spending gains momentum in the fourth quarter as implementing agencies often initiate projects at the eleventh hour to avoid budget freeze. Spending taxpayers' money in this manner is incorrect because a substantial portion of these payments occurs without adherence to proper processes and legal mandates. This compromises the quality of work. Such spending is often done in collaboration among implementing agencies i.e. government offices, contractors and suppliers.

During the first four months of 2022/23, the government's total spending stood at Rs. 351bn. Recurrent expenditure, capital expenditure, and financial management expenditure amounted to Rs 281.39bn, Rs 26.30bn, and Rs 43.31bn, respectively, in the review period.

The government mobilized 20.08 percent of the revenue target set for the current fiscal year in the first four months of 2023/24. Out of Rs 1,422.54bn that the government is looking to raise in the current fiscal year, the government mobilized Rs 276.64bn in the first four months. Of the total revenue, Rs 254.30bn is from tax revenue, and Rs 22.33bn is from non-tax revenue.

Likewise, the government has managed to mobilize Rs 3.75bn as foreign grants in the four months of 2023/24. This is 5.42 percent of Rs 49.94bn that the government is looking to raise under foreign grants in the current fiscal year.

The price of gold has increased by Rs 300 per tola in the domestic market on Wednesday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the precious yellow metal is being traded at Rs 116, 500 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 116, 200 per tola on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 115, 950 per tola. It was traded at Rs 115, 650 per tola.

Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 1,455 per tola today.

China has refused the alleged corruption in the construction of Pokhara International Airport.

In responding to a question about Nepal’s reported investigation by Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said she was not aware of the reported internal review in Nepal but what the report mentioned was inconsistent with facts.

Since the inauguration of the airport, which was built by a Chinese enterprise, all facilities have been operating smoothly, playing an active role in improving Nepal’s domestic and international air connectivity, she said.

“The Chinese government always asks our companies to strictly abide by laws and regulations in doing business overseas. Pokhara International Airport is an important infrastructure project in China-Nepal cooperation and hailed in Nepal as a project of national honor,” Mao said. 

“According to my knowledge, Chinese companies took into full consideration the local situation, followed the quality standards strictly during the design and construction, and kept complete records,” the spokesperson said.